School News

Parents interested in their child participating in the Early Start Program for 2008-09 should call the School Administrative Offices for information on the screening process.

Both child and parent will be interviewed to allow officials to select children according to their needs.

The Early Start Program is an "at-risk" program for children who turn 4 years old by Sept. 30, and who need an extra year to prepare for success in kindergarten. Call Pamela Connor, coordinator of Elementary Education, or Erma Goodman, secretary, at 925-6760 for details.

Applications open to apply for grants

Beginning July 1, Suffolk Public Schools will participate in the grant application award process for No Child Left Behind funding, which will include the following federal programs:

Title I, Part A (Improving Basic Programs)

Title II, Part A (Teacher and Principal Training and Recruiting)

Title II, Part D (Enhancing Education Through Technology)

Title IV, Part A (Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities)

The 2008-2009applicationsareavailableathttp://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Instruction/OCP/nclb-applications.html or http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/nclb/

The deadline is July 1. Each application is accompanied by a set of guidelines and instructions. The final allocation amounts will not be available until the Virginia Department of Education releases this information. If there are questions related to the mechanics of completing the application, call Bettie Swain, coordinator of compensatory programs, at 925-6759, or by e-mail at bettieswain@spsk12.net.

ACHIEVEMENTS

* Laura Ansley, a sophomore at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and a Carrollton native, was recently named a 2008 Gilder Lehrman History Scholar. She is one of 15 students selected by competitive application to participate in the program. This summer, the scholars will study in New York City for five weeks in a program that combines historical research, seminars with eminent historians and behind-the-scenes tours of historical archives. Each scholar will have the opportunity to produce original research resulting from his or her work. This year's class will work with primary source documents from the Revolutionary Era in the Gilder Lehrman Collection.

* Christopher Newport University announces the following students have accepted scholarships for the President's Leadership Program this fall.

SMITHFIELD:

James Bohannon

SUFFOLK

Elizabeth Churchya

John Foust

Brittany Haskell

Jett Johnson

Marlaina Peelen

* Kevin A. Butrick made the dean's list at Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg. He is a junior majoring in psychology, and is the son of John and Frances Butrick of Carrollton.

EVENTS

Memorial Day. May 26. Isle of Wight and Suffolk Public Schools will be closed.

Lakeland High PTSA. 7 p.m. May 27. Details: 925-5790.

Nansemond River PTSA. 7 p.m. May 27. Details: 923-4101.

Oakland Elementary School Intermediate Band Concert. 6 p.m. May 27, cafeteria. Suffolk's only elementary school band will display its talents with graded music level .05 and 1. Details: 923-5248.